The US Department of Agriculture recently announced the membership of their new Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Committee, an organization designed to coordinate federal efforts to entice young people to enter the agricultural profession.
For several years, economists and agricultural officials have discussed the looming farm demographic crisis. With the average age of the farm sector increasing and with fewer and fewer young people entering the profession, some economists have predicted a major decline in farm production.
In order to prevent this potential demographic crisis, the USDA, along with several state governments, have offered young people access to the desperately needed credit that would allow them to start their own farms, buy their own land, and purchase their own farm equipment. The Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Committee is designed to help coordinate these efforts in order to best serve young farmers.
“The next generation of America’s farmers and ranchers are more diverse than ever before, have new market opportunities and continue to bring innovative ideas to the agriculture industry,” Deputy Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden said. “The Secretary and I look forward to working closely with this Advisory Committee to continue supporting the promise of agriculture’s future. At the same time, we need passage of a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill to invest in support and assistance for new farmers in the years to come.”
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmloans.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer